Animal Kingdom in December Question

[SilSprBea]

We are planning on being at Animal Kingdom in December as part of our trip to Disney. We currently have both a Tusker House lunch (12:40) and dinner reservation (5:25), but obviously won't do both. Our Disney planner thought there would be an evening thing (maybe river of lights or jungle book) and thought dinner would be nice. However, I see no evidence of the park staying open past 5 on the Disney website.

Has anyone heard about the plans for evening shows in December at Animal Kingdom? If they do that would they extend the park hours?

So, from my last two trips to Disney I know that we finished Animal Kingdom early (I feel like by 2 or 3 at the latest). If we start in the morning, I think we'd be waiting around for our dinner too long, and then lunch might make the most sense.

One thought is sleeping in and going to the Animal Kingdom a little later because we would have had a bit of a late night at Epcot the night before. Is that a bad idea? Are the crowds better first thing, or are they better later afternoon because people finish up Animal Kingdom a bit early. We plan on fast-passing the Safari and Everest and possibly Dinosaur if it's open, but skipping Kali river fastpasses since the weather likely won't be warm enough for such a soaking ride

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but just wanted to get an opinion. In my mind I'm leaning towards the sleep in option and heading to Animal Kingdom later (it'll be the 4th day in a row we are in a park with small kids), but wanted to get some opinions of other families who have visited in December.

Many thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

Jungle Book is officially closing Sept 5th. No word on RoL yet

 

[SilSprBea]

Jungle Book is officially closing Sept 5th. No word on RoL yet

Thank you dor your response. Bummer on jungle book. I wonder what the odds of evening entertainment will be in December?

 

[BigRed321]

My family and I are going in December also.. We are going to get to the animal kingdom around 10:30 or so.. And hang around until dark to see the tree of life at night...

Not counting on the rol being open... But if it is, it will be a great bonus..

 

[CAS239]

Hours will be extended but not until closer

 

[SilSprBea]

Hours will be extended but not until closer

Why do hours gets extended? Is it because of crowd forecasts or because evening events get added? Not sure how this works. I've seen people say that December hours were extended last year but not sure why Disney does that.

 

[SilSprBea]

My family and I are going in December also.. We are going to get to the animal kingdom around 10:30 or so.. And hang around until dark to see the tree of life at night...

Not counting on the rol being open... But if it is, it will be a great bonus..

Cool! I didn't even realize the tree is lit at night. The precious times we've been we've always finished up mid afternoon. Hopefully it will still be lit after we are done with dinner!

 

[CAS239]

Why do hours gets extended? Is it because of crowd forecasts or because evening events get added? Not sure how this works. I've seen people say that December hours were extended last year but not sure why Disney does that.

Disney not knowing what hours they want to be open until yet. Night time shows, projected crowds, all the other factors. Right now concrete hours are coming out about a month in advance. If the current trend continues December hours won't fully be changed and finalized until November.

Plan your FP's and dining around the hours provided, but keep in mind that hours will likely change. Especially AK, it's no longer a 5pm closing park. Sunset is a lot earlier in December, so I wouldn't anticipate an 11pm closing like it is right now, but I would definitely expect after 5. My guess is it'll be open until probably 8 or 9

 

[CAS239]

Cool! I didn't even realize the tree is lit at night. The precious times we've been we've always finished up mid afternoon. Hopefully it will still be lit after we are done with dinner!

The lighting of the Tree of Life is new and has only been around for about a month or so

 

[Nancyg56]

Why do hours gets extended? Is it because of crowd forecasts or because evening events get added? Not sure how this works. I've seen people say that December hours were extended last year but not sure why Disney does that.

Previously, Disney extended hours if crowds were higher than anticipated. Last year with the ending of Osborne Lights, the parks got more visitors and the hours were extended. The hours this year seem to be extended as Disney adds evening entertainment. Specifically DAK. Tis one is so up in the air!

I also think that that DHS is a work in progress. It closes early in December, which I have not seen in years. The only thing I can think of for that early close is no Lights.

 

[Octoberbaby]

The lighting of the Tree of Life is new and has only been around for about a month or so

So, after Sept 5th, will the tree lighting be the only nighttime entertainment? Unless ROL is ready?

 

[kaybird]

There is also the nighttime safari, street performers, and if you have never ridden EE at night, it is not to be missed! Don't underestimate how beautiful AK is at night, just walking around is worth the night time hours.

 

[Octoberbaby]

There is also the nighttime safari, street performers, and if you have never ridden EE at night, it is not to be missed! Don't underestimate how beautiful AK is at night, just walking around is worth the night time hours.

I'm having a horrible time planning our AK day, which is also our split day from the Polynesian to AKL. Usually AK is a half day park, but I'm lost this time. I have no clue what to do.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm having a horrible time planning our AK day, which is also our split day from the Polynesian to AKL. Usually AK is a half day park, but I'm lost this time. I have no clue what to do.

I'm right there with you. I generally have my days planned out pretty well at the 180 day mark, with park days, nights and ADR's all locked in. A little tweaking and I am good to go. Not this year. My ADR's are a mess, my DAK is giving me a headache. This is no fun.

 

[HatboxHaint]

I am enjoying watching the November and December and now even January vacation planners arrive to this long burning dumpster fire. Because misery loves company!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am enjoying watching the November and December and now even January vacation planners arrive to this long burning dumpster fire. Because misery loves company!!

LOL! Well it seems that we are all in it together! I am slowly biting back my words when folks were miserable early in the year, and I was nonchalant. Oh boy! Apologies all around!

 

[SilSprBea]

I'm having a horrible time planning our AK day, which is also our split day from the Polynesian to AKL. Usually AK is a half day park, but I'm lost this time. I have no clue what to do.

why are you having such a difficult time this go around? I'm having a hard time because this is my first trip with children and they are going to be tired in the am. Really leaning towards later arrival that am and then doing the dinner and hoping for some early evening hours.

 

[Octoberbaby]

why are you having such a difficult time this go around? I'm having a hard time because this is my first trip with children and they are going to be tired in the am. Really leaning towards later arrival that am and then doing the dinner and hoping for some early evening hours.

If we weren't doing the split, it would not be as much trouble.

We usually do rope drop at AK and then leave after lunch. This time, we will definitely skip rope drop to be able to pack at the Polynesian, and check into the AKL. The main issue is I'm wanting to eat dinner at Boma, my favorite, but I also want to be at AK in the evening since the new nighttime entertainment. Not knowing what exactly that entails, I'm having some issues deciding on reservations, fp, etc.

 

[Nancyg56]

why are you having such a difficult time this go around? I'm having a hard time because this is my first trip with children and they are going to be tired in the am. Really leaning towards later arrival that am and then doing the dinner and hoping for some early evening hours.

It is tough to plan if you want to decide how and when your evening hours will be spent and where to schedule meals if you have no idea if he park will remain opened past 5.
In your case, if there are no evening hours, you will need to revisit the late arrival. For others it is whether or not to arrive late and stay, or get there early and get out.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

I am enjoying watching the November and December and now even January vacation planners arrive to this long burning dumpster fire. Because misery loves company!!

My guess is that they'll plan a dessert/s'mores party for this....